We catch up with one of our past students - and success stories, veteran Men Gurung, who was part of one of the first cohorts who successfully completed the Ethical Hacking (Penetration Testing) course at Abertay University. His inspirational journey shows that even coming from a ‘non-tech’ background, you can still excel in the world of cybersecurity - as Men is doing right now.
Men Gurung was raised in the rural Gorkha district in Nepal, enlisting in the British Army’s Brigade of Gurkhas at a young age. He served 20 years in the regiment with stints in an array of countries worldwide, retiring with exemplary service in 2006.
He prepared for the move into civilian employment with clear goals - and networking: “I focused on networking with veterans, attending job fairs, participating in workshops on resume writing, and exploring various opportunities. Additionally, I identified my transferable skills and set clear career goals,” he told us. “I had a plan for the industry I wanted to enter - Close Protection within the Security Industry. However, I was also open to exploring other options that aligned with my skills and interests.”
He trained and worked as a Close Protection Officer and while Men was confident in his decision to work in cybersecurity, he was less sure of how to get there. A tip from a veteran friend led him to SaluteMyJob. When Men’s last job working as a Close Protection Officer ended, he knew it would be easy to find another job in personal security but he thought it was finally time to take the leap into cybersecurity.
“Coming from a non-tech background, I challenged myself to pursue a new career in IT. Initially, it was very challenging, but by embracing those challenges every day, I gained a better understanding of cybersecurity and technology. The Ethical Hacking course has helped me enormously,” said Men.
“SaluteMyJob has been the backbone of my cybersecurity journey. Providing valuable resources, guidance, training courses and morale support as well as connecting me with industry professionals, has helped me immensely in reaching where I am today.”
Men’s first cyber opportunity was at Wood PLC in Aberdeen, as a Business Information Security Analyst. Men’s manager at the time, Malcolm Norman, Chief Information Security Officer at Wood PLC, said: “Veterans such as Men have a huge variety of experience. They have an ability to be part of a team and to lead by example. They are resilient and flexible. And most of all, they get stuck in and focus on delivering a solution.”
Now he is in his ‘dream role’ at IBM: “As a cybersecurity analyst, my role involves protecting an organisation’s computer systems and networks from security breaches. I monitor network traffic for unusual activity and respond to incidents. It’s essential to stay updated on the latest threats and technologies to ensure robust defence.”
The valuable skills and experience he gained within his 20-years Service, he still uses in his role today: “From my time in the Armed Forces, I utilise skills such as attention to detail, teamwork, and problem-solving. The experience of working under pressure and following protocols is invaluable in cybersecurity. Additionally, my training in risk assessment and strategic thinking enables me to analyse threats and develop effective security measures.”
He believes veterans are well-suited to cybersecurity roles because they ‘possess strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and a disciplined approach to problem-solving’. He added: “Their experience in high-pressure environments equips them to respond effectively to security incidents. Most of the soft skills they possess can directly translate to cybersecurity roles, making them valuable assets in protecting organisations.”
Men offers some fantastic tips to other military job seekers looking to work in cybersecurity:
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Skills to Hone: Focus on analytical thinking, problem-solving, and attention to detail.
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Learning the basics of networking, operating systems, and security principles. Understanding how systems interact is crucial in cybersecurity.
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Qualifications: Consider obtaining certifications like CompTIA Security+, CompTIA Network+, Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH),
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Work Experience: Seek internships, volunteer opportunities, or labs training (Immersive Lab, TryHackMe).
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SaluteMyJob Courses: Join SMJ and take advantage of the courses offered by SaluteMyJob, which are essential for your cybersecurity journey.
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Register with Troopr
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LinkedIn Profile: Networking with industry professionals can also offer valuable insights and job leads.
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Maintain a positive mindset and put in the effort. If I can achieve my goals, so can you! Just remember - never give up and embrace challenges.
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